Just a question for someone who may know more than I;
If Ford had dozens of engineers and millions in research for the new focus' engine, and there was a way to increase power AND fuel economy, don't you all think they would have already done it? Why would a smaller company(I'm not by any means calling K&N small) who undoubtedly spent way less on R&D than Ford, be able to improve so much on something which has been already developed so thoroughly? Do you think it is only a noise issue? Because the difference in cost for materials for both a CAI and what they put into the stock Ford intake must be marginal. So what gives?

Don't get me wrong, I brought home my brand new sport pack SE hatch tonight(YES!!!!) and I DO want one of these K&N CAI's! (CARB sticker please Troy!!!!!!!!!)

I obviously cannot speak for the Ford Engineering Team, but it must be taken into consideration that they have to design a vehicle for the masses. NVH is a huge consideration when designing a vehicle, and our run-of-the-mill Focus is less designed for us enthusiasts than it is for the mass of people who want an economic work/commuter/small family car. I would be willing to bet that they settled where they could, because perfecting every single system on the car would have shot costs through the roof.

I obviously cannot speak for the Ford Engineering Team, but it must be taken into consideration that they have to design a vehicle for the masses. NVH is a huge consideration when designing a vehicle, and our run-of-the-mill Focus is less designed for us enthusiasts than it is for the mass of people who want an economic work/commuter/small family car. I would be willing to bet that they settled where they could, because perfecting every single system on the car would have shot costs through the roof.

This ^ is why I thought it may have to do mostly with engineering an appeal to the masses with an ultra quiet yet powerful/efficient engine. As many have reported, the CAI produces a noticeable change in engine noise, which is undesirable to the soccer mom, yet exciting to the enthusiast. Just curious what others thought about the subject.

Okay. Here is a little rant, so please excuse me ahead of time. And no hard feelings.
I'm sick of forums where everything you ask or discus is responded with disdain and "use the search function". Okay, I understand everyone who desires to post a NEW topic should search to see if the topic is already there. However, if you are discussing a relevant topic in a already open thread, then just discuss it!! To expect someone to search through pages and pages of multiple threads just on a chance that it MAY have been discussed previously is ridiculous.

Okay, rant over. Sorry if I ruffled any tail feathers!

Back to the topic; let's see if we can get more of us California guys showing interest in the C.A.R.B. sticker for this intake. Maybe if more join in, Troy will get the proverbial ball rolling.

I'm not usually one to say "use the search" I just know even in this thread some of your questions have been answered. But to your first question, manufacturers leave something on the table for the aftermarket. As we've seen in many cases so far, there are a ton of people that have gone back to stock with intake and exhaust cause it adds too much sound. You may notice there are a few that say "f" NHV's and let's have fun.

Hedgehog's don't have tail feathers, don't worry man. ;)

I would love a Sticker being in Albuquerque and we've adopted some CARB regs. Luckily there's no visual only OBD2 tests for emissions.

Currently there are no plans to C.A.R.B. Certify this kit, you can always check back with me later. Just so everyone knows if this kit or any other kit for the focus is released and is C.A.R.B. legal I will update the OP. As well as if this kit becomes certified, thanks again everyone!

Troy.

Troy, just curious;
Isn't California a large market demographic for K&N? And why the hesitation/hold up on a CARB legal set up (aside from the obvious CARB costs)?

Troy, just curious;
Isn't California a large market demographic for K&N? And why the hesitation/hold up on a CARB legal set up (aside from the obvious CARB costs)?

Thanks for the inquiry Blarson, those are some great questions!

California is a large market for us, we are extremely proud to be a major manufacturer in the state of California. K&N was started here in Riverside, CA in 1969 and has history here - we will not forget that.

As far as C.A.R.B. certification is concerned, we have submitted the application and are currently waiting on approval for the kit. Keep in mind that this is COMPLETELY out of our hands once we have submitted the application, it is in the hands of the California Air Resources Board.

As soon and IF the application is approved I will update the OP, I must warn you though this takes months even up to a year.

California is a large market for us, we are extremely proud to be a major manufacturer in the state of California. K&N was started here in Riverside, CA in 1969 and has history here - we will not forget that.

As far as C.A.R.B. certification is concerned, we have submitted the application and are currently waiting on approval for the kit. Keep in mind that this is COMPLETELY out of our hands once we have submitted the application, it is in the hands of the California Air Resources Board.

As soon and IF the application is approved I will update the OP, I must warn you though this takes months even up to a year.

Troy.

Troy,
Thank you very much for the quick and concise response. I totally understand that once the application is submitted you relinquish all control to the "hippy board", and just await their approval or denial. I am very happy that the process has been started.

I know on my old ZX3 had three K&N CAI choices with only one the three having a CARB sticker. So I don't know if you'll be able to answer this or not, but are more CAI designs for the MK3 focus in the works? And if I bought the current CAI system, and a CARB sticker became available at a later date, would K&N ship me the CARB sticker? Thanks in advance.

Register Now

In order to be able to post messages on the Ford Focus Forum, Ford Focus ST Forum, Ford Focus RS Forum forums, you must first register.
Please enter your desired user name, your email address and other required details in the form below.

User Name:

Password

Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.

Password:

Confirm Password:

Email Address

Please enter a valid email address for yourself.

Email Address:

Log-in

User Name

Remember Me?

Password

Human Verification

In order to verify that you are a human and not a spam bot, please enter the answer into the following box below based on the instructions contained in the graphic.

Focus Fanatics Ford Focus Forum offers many fun ways for you to engage with other Ford Focus Owners from across the world. Whether it be about the aftermarket performance modifications, technical how-to's, European tuned suspension or awesome fuel economy similar to the Audi S3, Ford Fusion and Acura TLX. You can find all Ford Focus and Focus ST related information here. Join our Ford Focus discussion forums and chat with local Focus enthusiasts in your area. Challenger Hellcat - Charger Hellcat